(a) An owner of a Salvage Vehicle shall apply to the Department for a Salvage Title before the vehicle is repaired and within 30 days of the vehicle being damaged.
(b) An owner of a Junk Vehicle shall apply for a Junk Vehicle Certificate before ownership is transferred and within 30 days of the vehicle being damaged.
(c) A lessor of a Salvage Vehicle or Junk vehicle shall apply for a Salvage Title or Junk Vehicle Certificate, whichever is applicable, in the same manner as an owner, as described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, except that an application shall be made within 30 days of being notified of the vehicle’s damaged status.
(d)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, any insurance company that, pursuant to a damage settlement, acquires ownership of a Salvage Vehicle or Junk Vehicle shall apply to the Department for a Salvage Title or Junk Vehicle Certificate, whichever is applicable, within 30 days of the date the title is delivered to the insurance company.
(2) An insurance company that makes a damage settlement for a Salvage Vehicle or Junk Vehicle, but does not acquire ownership of the vehicle, shall, within 30 days of the settlement, notify:
(A) The vehicle’s owner or lessor of his or her obligation to apply to the Department for a Salvage Title or Junk Vehicle Certificate, whichever is applicable; and
(B) The Department, in accordance with procedures established by the Department.
(e) A lessee of a Salvage or Junk Vehicle shall notify the lessor within 30 days of the date the damage occurred and shall not repair the vehicle prior to the issuance of a Salvage Title to the lessor.
(f) A person acquiring a Salvage or Junk Vehicle for which a Salvage Title or Junk Vehicle Certificate has not been issued shall apply to the Department for the required document prior to any further transfer of the vehicle and within 30 days of acquisition.
(Apr. 8, 2005, D.C. Law 15-307, § 102, 52 DCR 1700; Feb. 18, 2017, D.C. Law 21-192, § 2(c), 63 DCR 15007.)
This section is referenced in § 50-1331.04.
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 50 - Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic
Chapter 13A - Salvage, Flood Notification and Non-Repairable Vehicle Certification
§ 50–1331.02. Duty to apply for Salvage Vehicle Title, Junk Vehicle Certificate
§ 50–1331.03. Duty to notify lessors, purchasers, Department, of Flood Vehicle Status
§ 50–1331.05. Restrictions on use and transfer of Salvage Vehicles
§ 50–1331.06. Titling Rebuilt Salvage Vehicles
§ 50–1331.07. Restrictions on use and transfer of Junk Vehicles